2,500-personnel boost for security

The state government on Thursday filed an affidavit before the Bombay high court stating that it has received requisition for security from various establishments like the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Bombay Stock Exchange and the Securities and Exchange Board of India, for which recruitment is underway.

The state government on Thursday filed an affidavit before the Bombay high court stating that it has received requisition for security from various establishments like the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Bombay Stock Exchange and the Securities and Exchange Board of India, for which recruitment is underway.

Filed by PT Goud, secretary (home), the affidavit states that the second recruitment drive for deploying about 2,500 personnel has been initiated by the Maharashtra State Security Corporation.

Goud also says in the affidavit that action has been taken on many of the recommendations of the Ram Pradhan committee, which was set up after the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai.

However, the details, including those of the weapons purchased, have been submitted to the court in a sealed envelope for security reasons. Goud also informed that adequate security measures have been taken for the high court and other courts, details of which have also been submitted confidentially.

The court had last month observed that the state government's reply with regard to security measures taken to deal with terrorist attacks was worth nothing. Stating that it was unhappy with the affidavit, the court had directed the government to file another one within four weeks.

The court had last month sought details on the status of various articles procured by the government and steps been taken in view of the suggestions and recommendations of the Pradhan committee report.

The court was hearing a group of public interest litigations filed by advocate VP Patil and others seeking implementation of the report's recommendations and the status of security after the terror attacks.

The court was earlier informed that the government has spent Rs 126 crore within a year of the attacks to procure bulletproof jackets, speed boats, armoured vehicles, and arms and ammunition among other articles.